HRL's Mission

HRL is a student-run organization at Harvard College. Our non-sectarian mission is to promote respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. We oppose physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, infanticide, and abortion. We commit ourselves to fostering an open dialogue on these issues and increasing awareness of their importance to the Harvard community and beyond. In our efforts to end abortion, we advocate woman-centered solutions that address the root causes of abortion and establish common ground between those on both sides of the debate.

UHS REFUND

Explanation and Form

"If you have strong moral objection to sharing the cost of elective abortions, you may request a rebate of the annual cost per individual of this coverage." --www.uhs.harvard.edu, "Sexuality Services: Pregnancy Counseling and Abortion Services"

As an undergraduate or graduate student at Harvard, a portion of your mandatory student health services fee (the fee which everyone pays regardless of whether or not you subscribe to the university health plan) is used to provide funding for elective student abortions. Any student who objects to abortion on moral grounds may receive a refund of that portion of their fee that funds elective student abortions. This rebate usually amounts to less than $1.00 and is deducted from the objecting student's termbill in the Spring. Although the amount is financially negligible, HRL encourages all students who object to abortion to take advantage of this UHS policy in the interests of principle. To obtain a refund, simply send a brief letter to UHS in which you state your moral opposition to abortion and request the return of that portion of your mandatory fee that funds elective abortions. You must sign the letter, date it, and include your eight-digit Harvard ID number. Or you can print out this generic letter, fill it out, and send it. All letters should be sent to:

UHS Member Services
75 Mt. Auburn St.
Cambridge, MA 02138

FAQ

Some students have expressed concern about the design of the UHS policy. In fact, upon review of the policy at other Ivy League schools, Harvard's stance falls somewhere between the extremes. Here are some frequently asked questions about the UHS policy (and some answers):

What does this refund include?

The portion of an individual student's mandatory health services fee that funds elective abortions.

What does this refund exclude?

Any money that funds abortions that UHS may deem to be medically necessary.

Which other elective medical procedures does the UHS plan cover?

None. In fact the Harvard University General Health Plan specifically excludes the following:

• Contact lenses or fitting
• Dentures
• Cosmetic Services, unless medically necessary
• Reversal of voluntary sterilization (including related to fertility services)
• Transsexual surgery and related care

HRL's Officers